Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy

When people are ready to get treatment for substance use disorder, many resources are available. A rehab center can provide many of these through a customized treatment plan. Therapy is a significant cog in the process, but using just one strategy doesn’t work for everyone. Despite that, rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT) is a technique that works for many people.

About Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy

REBT for short, this counseling method is a type of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). Psychologist Albert Ellis combined behavioral strategies with examining emotions and thoughts to develop the treatment. He wasn’t happy with the results of the traditional therapy he used at the time. His patients were more aware of their underlying issues, but their behavior didn’t change.

Ellis experimented with other counseling methods in the 1950s. His goal was to create an action-oriented approach that helped people manage their feelings, behaviors, and thoughts. It focused on the theory that things or events don’t disturb people. How they perceive the things or events disturb them, and their emotions influence their thoughts.

According to this theory, people can develop problems when they have irrational beliefs. For that reason, rational emotive behavior therapy focuses on changing these beliefs to overcome addiction.

Irrational Themes and ABC Model

Based on this theory, irrational beliefs are demands that people put on themselves, others or the world. With themselves, for instance, they believe that they have to win approval and do well. Otherwise, they think that they’re worthless. This belief is widespread among those with addiction.

They may also believe that others should act how they want and treat them fairly. When others don’t, they think that the individuals are intolerable and deserve punishment. Also, some people believe that the universe should provide what they want when they want it.

The focus in REBT is these irrational beliefs. It uses the ABC model to demonstrate how they lead to unwanted results. The A stands for the activating situations that trigger the cycle. The situations can involve events, people, places, thoughts or things from the past, present or future.

The B represents the beliefs that people hold about the activating situations. The C stands for the consequences of those beliefs, which may be behaviors, feelings or thoughts.

The Disputing and Changing Process

After analyzing the ABC model, disputing the irrational beliefs is the next step. This part of the process takes three steps.

The first is detecting or identifying an irrational belief. It’s also helpful for people to understand where that belief came from and its role. In general, they become more aware of their thoughts and how they react to certain situations.

Rational emotive behavior therapy continues with debating the accuracy or inaccuracy of the belief. People defend both sides to clarify their perception of the activating situation.

In the final step, they decide if the belief is irrational or rational. Along with the clarification and insight that they’ve gained, they consider the consequences of the belief. In most cases, irrational beliefs lead to unwanted results.

After completing the disputing process, people can clearly see which beliefs they need to change. By developing more rational beliefs, their behaviors, emotions, and thoughts improve.

How REBT Aids Addiction Treatment

For people who suffer from addiction, rational emotive behavior therapy examines the beliefs that encouraged their initial drug use. It also assesses the beliefs that maintain their substance use and contribute to cravings or desires for more drugs. In addition, this counseling strategy emphasizes acceptance of themselves, others and the world to support sobriety.

Your Therapy Options at Beaches Recovery

Are you ready to enter addiction treatment? Beaches Recovery offers a range of therapeutic services, including REBT. As a low-risk style of treatment, it could have a significant impact on your sobriety. Some of the other strategies that we use include:

• CBT
• Family therapy
• Group therapy
• Mindfulness-based treatment
• Fitness therapy
• Anger management

At Beaches Recovery, we also understand that there’s more to addiction treatment than rehab. For that reason, we offer detox at Tides Edge. Furthermore, our team continues to help you after rehab through our sober living program. Our goal is to guide you through each step of treatment so that you achieve long-term recovery.

End the cycle of irrational beliefs and consequences that led to your substance abuse. Learn more about rational emotive behavior therapy. Call Beaches Recovery today at 866.605.0532 to find out how this counseling method can help you.